Electric lamp socket



Patented Jan. 25, 1944 l UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE Q 'nnnc'rnrcLAMPSOOKET James F. Beal, Bridgeport, Conm, assignor to The BryantElectric Company, Bridgeport,0onn., a corporation of ConnecticutApplication March 5, 1942, Serial No. 433,482

13 Claims (Cl. 173-328) ill Heretofore, sockets of this kind have beenso;

constructed that not only right and left-hand sockets were required butalso right and left-hand parts were required making it necessary tostockthe sockets in pairs and to have separate sets of tools for making theright and left-hand parts.

I'l'ierefore, it is one object of my invention to eliminate thesedisadvantages and provide a socket which shall be of simple and ruggedconstruction and which may be more economically manufactured and used.

Another Object of my invention is to provide a socket of the characterdescribed which may be used at either end of the lamp to eliminate the Jnecessity for right and left-hand sockets and parts therefor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a socket so constructedthat the contact pins of the lamp or-other device may be easily insertedand removed therefrom by simple movements and A which shall function topositively retain the lamp removed by a simple rotational movement ofthe lamp about its axis in either direction after the contact pins enterthe socket.

Another object of my invention is to provide a socket wherein the slotfor receiving the contact pins of the lamp is open at both faces so thatthe lamp may be mounted adjacent either face.

These and other objects and aims of my invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an enlarged exploded perspective.

view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing details of thevarious parts: A

Fig. '2 is a view in elevation of the socket in partially assembled form(one body half removed) showing the position of the contact pins oninitial insertion into the socket:

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the lamppins in their final or fullyinserted position: 1

Fig. 4 is'a detail plan view of the mounting bracket of the socket whichis also utilized to hold the body halves together: and

Fig. 5 is a view showing how the socket of my invention is utilized.

Referring to the drawing, the socket it com prises. generally, a base orbody member ill formed of duplicate body halves l2 and II securedtogether by a mounting bracket l4, apsir of contact members or fingersII and II. a plunger 01 follower II and a, spring II for the plunger.

.The body halves l2 and it are preferably of a duplicate or symmetricalconstruction being A more specific object ofmy invention is to provideasocket wherein a depressible means is utilized to force the contactpins of the lamp into enc sement with the contact members of the socketto eliminate the necessity of relying upon the spring action of contactmembers alone.

' Another object of my invention is to provide a socket wherein thedepressible means utilized to force the contact pins into engagementwith formed by molding from a suitable plastic material having thenecessary insulating and-strength requirements. They are so shaped thatwhen pieced together, as shown in Fig. 5, they'i'orm a two-piece base orbody member of generally hollow construction to receive the contactmembers and other parts of the socket.

Y Each of the body halves I2 and it is provided on its inside face witha plurality of longitudinal recesses II, 22 and 23 of such shape as toform channels for receiving the contact members II and It and otherpartsof the socket when the body halves are placed together. The

outside recesses 2| and 22 are of such shape as to receive and positionthe contact members It and I6, and the middle recess 21 is such as"v toreceive and guide the plungerspring II. The rib portions 24 and 26,which, together with the outside rib portions '28, and 21, which formthe recesses, are of less depth thanthe outside ribs so that a suitablespace or guideway is provided I of the contact members at g The mountingportions are .for the plunger l'l when the body halve are 3. The slot isalso of such depth, as shown in Fig. 2, as to receive both of thecontact pins in vertical relationship as when they are beinginsertedinto the socket. I

It will be apparent that when the body halves l2 an it are placedtogether, a base or body member is provided which is of generallyhollow.

construction, and that the slot 28 extends entirely across the top faceand is open at both sides or faces.

The contact members "and 16' are preferably of identical and symmetricalconstructidn, and are preferably formed of flat spring materialhavingsuitable current conducting qualities. As shown in Fig.'l, thecontact members are provided with inurned end portions or lips 30 and3|, relatively long and straight shank and 35, which are provided bybending the ends right angles to their shank portions. provided withthreaded openings 36 and 31 to receive the terminal screws 38 and 39.

l The contact members are mounted within the base by attaching theirmounting portions 34 and 35 to the foot portions H and 42 of the slot 28in the top face thereof of portions 32 and 33, and mounting portions 3ttogether by means of the bracket it having a rectangular opening thereinto receive the upper portions of the body halves. This bracket slipsover the body halves in assembled relation until it reaches the ledges53 formed by the foot portions of the body halves where the side members54 and 55 thereof may be bent inwardly as shown in Fig. 4 into theintermediate slots 51 in the body halves and the back member 56 alsobent inwardly to engage the outside face of the body half. It will beapparent that this aligns -'and securely clamps the body halvestogether,

body halves. As shown in Fig. 1, each of the footportions is providedwith transverse grooves 42 and 44, L-shaped recesses 45: and 46 andledge portions 41 and 48 so shaped and related as to receive themounting portions .34 and 35 of the contact members.

The contact members are assembled, as shown in Fig. 2 for example, withtheir mounting portions attached to the foot portions of the body halvesand their elongated shank portions extending, upwardly within the base,sothat the inturned end portions 30 and 3| are positioned adjacent to orimmediately below the slot 28-, and in such'position' that the contactpins of the lamp may be inserted therebetween.

In order to provide for urging the contact pins of the lamp intoengagement with the contact members, the plunger I1 is so mounted withrespect to the contact members that it is engaged by the leading contactpin of the lamp and forced downwardly within the base as shown in Fig.2. Thebiasing spring I8 is likewise positioned between the contactmembers beneath the plunger, and rests upon an abutment 5| which formsthe bottom of the recess 23. r The upper end of the biasing spring I8 isretained in position by a suitable lug 52 onthe bottom of the plunger.As shown in Fig. 2, the sides of the plunger normally engage the insidefaces of the contact members and slidethereon. The plunger may be ofsuch width that it places the contact members under a slight tension in.orderto'rigidly retain them within the base.

The various parts of the socket may be asaembled by placing the contactmembers and the plunger and its biasing spring in position in 2, and

and also provides a means for mounting or supporting the socket in amanner shown in Fig. 5.

In usin or mounted as shown in Fig. 5 upon a suitable supporting memberor surface 58 in spaced relation to receive the lamp 59., The contactpins SI and 62 of the lamp are inserted into the socket as shown in Fig.2. The plunger H has a normal extended position somewhat higher than isshown in Fig. 3. When the leading pin 62 engages the end of the plunger,it is forced downwardly until the leading pin engagesthe bottom of theslot 28, or at least enters the slot 28 a sufllcient distance that thetrailing pin BI. is slightly below the ends of the contact members asshown in Fig. 2. Whenin this position, the lamp may be rotated withinthe slotuntil the contact pins are'tumed to the position shown in Fig.3. As contact pins move into this position from the position shown inFig.- 2, the plunger I'I moves upwardly under the influence of thebiasing spring l8 and finally forces the contact ,pins into directcontact engagement with the ends of the contact members as shown in Fig.3. Under normal conditions, as when the 'contact pins of the lamp arecorrectly spaced, the contact members will be slightly sprung apart bythe force exerted by the spring l8 and plunger I! as shown in Fig. 3.

when it is desired to remove the lamp, it is simply rotatedin eitherdirection, forcing the plunger l'l downward'against the force of thespring until one of the contact pins becomes disengaged from itsassociated contact member. Since the force of the biasing spring iscontinually applied, the plunger is urged upwardly and functions toeject the contactpins of the lamp from the slot 28. It will be apparentthat the plunger functions to urge the contact pins into engagement withthe inturned end portions of the contact members. so that the grip andcontact pressure is not entirely dependent upon the spring action of thecontact members.

while I have shown the use of a springpressed or biased plunger foraccomplishing this result, it will be apparent that the same orequivalent result may be accomplished in other ways. All that isrequired is'a resilient or depressible member which may be urgeddownwardly by the contact pins of the lamp when the lamp is beinginserted into the socket, and which functions to automatically exert anupward force against the contact pins when they have been moved to alamp mounting position. In view of the foregoing description, it will.be apparent that I have provided a socket construction, particularlyadapted for use with miniature lamps, which is not only comprised of 'aminimum number of parts, but which is made up of substantially identicalor symmetrical parts which may be readily assembled to provide acomplete socket. Furthermore, in view of the symmetrical design of thesocket, it is apthe sockets, they may be assembled parent that it has norightor left-hand parts or positions, and maythereforebe used in anydesired position without regard to right or lefthand relationships. Thisresults from ,the fact that the slot for receiving the lamppinsis openat both sides oi the socket, so that the lamp may be inserted whenpositioned on either side or the socket. This not only facilitates theuse or thesocket, "but also makes'it more economicalto manufacture anduse, since it is not necessary to stock sockets in pairs as heretoiore.That..arrangement of contact members and sprin biased plunger, or itsequivalent, increases the effectiveness and lift of the socket, since itprovides a positive and balanced grip of the lamp pins withoutsubjecting the pins to such strains,

as might damage the lamp.

While I have disclosed a specific embodiment of my invention, it is tobe understood'that various changes andmodiiications thereof may bev madewithout departing from the spirit ofmy invention as defined in theappended claims.

Iclaim as my invention:

l. A socket for use witha lamp having a pair of spaced contact pinscomprising, a base ci insulating material formed of two substantiallyidentical body halves with a slot in a lace extending to an edge thereofand of a width to receive either of the contact pins and of a depth toreceive both of said contact pins, the opposite walls of said slot beingprovided with undercut recesses, substantially identical contact'membersmounted in said recesses and provided with inwardly bent end portionsextending toward said slot to engage said pins when the lamp is msertedinto the slot and rotated irom its position of insertion within saidslot, a spring-pressed plunger in said slot for urging the pins intoengagement with the finger portions oi said contact members, and meansfor retaining the body halves together. e

2. A socket for use with devices having spaced contact pins comprising,a housing having base and body portions with anarrow transverse slot inone race thereof, communicating with a side a pair of elongated contactmembers mounted within the housing on opposite sides otsald slot andside opening, said contact members havinz terminal portions anchored inthe baseportion and free end portions positioned below the slot, anddepressible means movably disposed between said contact members andnormally extending within the side opening for urging the contact pinsof the lamp .into engagement with the end portions of the contact.members.

3. A socket ior use with an electric lamp having a pair of' spacedcontact pins comprising, a hollow two-piece base member formedoi-substantiall identical body halves and having an opening in a lacethereof to receive the contact pins :01 the lamp one at a time, saidopening terminating in an enlarged portion to allow rotathan of thecontact pins therein, elongated contact members mounted within the basemember and having inturned end portions below and on opposite sides ofsaid opening, and a spring-biased plunger mounted within the base memberbetween said contact members disposed for direct engagement with thecontact pins to urge the contact pins of the lam into engagement withthe end portions or the contact members.

4. A socket for use with electric lamps having spaced contact pinscomprising, a base 01' insuthereof. and extending downwardlyinto the hethereof, the width oi! the slot in theface being .such as toreceive acontact pin andthe depth being such as to receive both contact pins,said slot being open at both sides and being or such width at the bottomthat the contact'pin's may be rotated therein in either direction alterinsertion, elongated contactmembers mounted within the base havinginturned end portions extending toward the entrance of the slot to beengaged by the contact pins when rotated andterminal portions at theopposite ends secured to the bottom or the 1 base, and a depressibleSpring-pressed plunger of insulating material disposed within the basebetween thecontact members for urging the contact pins into engagementwith the ends or the contact members said plunger havinii;1s a straightupper edge to receive the contact 5.A socket for electric lamps havingspaced parallel contact pins com rising, a two-piece body formed ofduplicate halves disposed in side-byside relation and having a pluralityot'internal .channels, said body having'a slot in one facecontactfmembers mounted in said channels to er within the bodyoperableto directly engage opening to receive the contact-pins oithelamp,

be engaged by the contact pins when rotated into contact makingposition, a'depressible plungthe contact pins and urge them intoengagement with the contact members, and a mounting bracket attached tothe body intermediate its ends,

said bracket also functioning to retain the body halves togetherinoperating relation.

6. A socketior electric lamps having spaced parallel contact pinscomprising-a housinghaving base and body portions, said body portionhaving a slot in the end with a narrow entrance to receive the contactpins one at a time and extending downwardly into the body portion intoan enlarged portion or a depth and width to permit rotation of thecontact pins therein in either direction, said base having a pluralityor internal parallel longitudinal channels communicating with said slot,apair of flat contact springs each having one end anchored in the baseportion and extending through two 01 said channelsto the slot in thebody portion, a plunger member slidably mounted within the housingbetween said contact springs to be engaged by the contact pins, anda'resilient member disposed in another 01' said channelsto urge theplunger member toward the slot, whereby said plunger member directlyengages the contact pins to urge them into engagement with the contactsprings or the socket.

7. A socket for usewith electric lamps having spaced contactpinscomprising, a body formed of a pair of body halves each havingcomplementary recesses in opposed sides forming parallel longitudinalchannels within the bodyand a slot in the top of the body communicatingwith said channels, said slot having a narrow opening to receive thecontact prongs of,the lamp'one after the other and being enlarged at thebottom to permit rotation of both contact pins in either direction,contact members .mounted within the body in said channels and havingtheir ends adjacent the slots to be engaged by the contact pins wheninserted into the slot and rotated,a flat plunger member slidablymounted within the body between the contact members, a spring disiatingmaterial having a transverseslot in a lace (6 posed in another of saidchannels in a position whereby said plunger member functions to urge thecontact pins of the lamp into engagement with the. contact members ofthe socket, and means holding said body halves together.

8., A socket for electric lamps having a pair of spaced contact pinscomprising, a two-piece housing formed of duplicate halves each havingbase and body portions, each of said halves being recessed on one sideto provide two outer grooves and one middle groove so that substantiallyparallel internal channels are provided in the housing, the middlegroove being formed by two spacedparallel ribs of less depth than theside ribs forming the side grooves so that a space is provided betweenthe said two spaced parallel ribs of each half when they are placedtogether, a pair of duplicate contact members mounted in the two outerchannels and having terminal portions anchored in the base portion ofthe housing and free end portions extending through the channels ,topoint adjacent the end of the body portion, said body portion having anarrow transverse slot therein extending into an enlarged portionbetween the upper ends oi the contact members to receive the contactpins of the lamp, said enlarged portion being of such depth and width asto permit rotation ofthe contact pins in either direction afterinsertioninto engagement with the upper ends of the contactmembers, a flatplunger member of insulating material slidably mounted between thecontact members in the said space provided between the pairs of spacedparallel ribs forming the middle groove of each half, a coil springpositioned beneath the plunger member urging it toward the slot in theend of the housing, said spring-actuated plunger functioning to urge thecontact pins of the lamp into engagement with the contact members, and amember encircling said housing halves intermediate their ends forholding them together. 9. A socket for a lamp base having a pair oicontact pins comprising a housing, a base-receivprovided'with inwardlyturned fingers at their permit the disposition ofthe other of said pinsbelow said lips whereby said base maybe rotated of spaced'contact pins,comprising a base ofinsulating material with a slot in a face extendingto an edge thereof and of a width to receive either of the contact pinsand of a depth to receive bothof said contactpins, the opposite walls ofsaid slot being provided with undercut recesses,

contact members mounted in said recesses and ends extending toward saidslot to engage said pins when the lamp is rotated from its position 'ofinsertion into said slot, and a spring-pressed plunger in said slot forurging the pins into engagement with theflnger portions of said con- Itact members;

12. A socket for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced contact pinscomprising a base of insulating material with a slot in a face extendingto an edge thereof and of a width to receive either of the contact pinsand of a depth to receive both of said contact pins wheninserted in aline coining aperture in one wall of said housing, a pascontact pinswhen engaged byone of said contact pinsas said pins pass through saidpassage to permit a clockwise or counter-clockwise rota- I tion of thebase to engage each contact pin with one of said spring contact members.

lo.- A socket for a, lamp base having a pair of contact pins comprisinga housing, a base-receiving aperture at one side of said housing, apassageleading to said aperture, a slide plate normally closing saidaperture, a spring contact member disposed at each side of said movableplate, means in said housing for securing one end of each of said springmembers, said members having their free ends inturned'to providelipsdisposed adjacent to said passage, said plate being movable downwardlyupon engagement by one of said contact pins a distance sufllcient tociding with the axis of the slot, the opposite walls of said slot beingprovided with undercut recesses to an extent to accommodate the saidpins after inserted in the slot and rotated through 90 degrees, contactmembers mounted in said recesses and provided with inwardly turnedfingers at their endsextending toward said slot to engage said pins whenthe lamp is rotated from its position of insertion into said slot, and aspringpressed plunger of insulating material in said slot for urging thepins into engagement with the finger portions of the said contactmembers and depressible by insertion of said pins into the socket. 4

13. A socket for use with a lamp having a pair of spaced contact pinscomprising a base of insulating material with a slot in a face extendingto an edge thereof and-of a width to receive either of the contact pinsand of a depth to receive both of said contact pins when inserted in aline coinciding with the axis of the slot, the opposite walls of saidslot-being provided with undercut recesses to an extent to accommodatethe said pins after inserted in the slot and rotated through 90 degrees,said basejbeing formed of duplicate halves with each half provided withcontact and plunger channelsextending to said slot and together forminglocating guides for the contact members, contact members in saidchannels extending to said recess and provided with inwardly turnedlingers at their ends extending toward each other, a plunger ofinsulating material located in one ofsaid channels and guided by i

